Photo: Ten Gossip

In an election otherwise full of great triumphs, the gay rights movement suffered a stunning defeat. California voters approved Proposition 8, putting a ban on same-sex marriages that overrides a recent court decision legalizing them, and throwing into doubt the unions of about 18,000 same-sex couples who wed during the last 4 1/2 months. The measure’s most fervent proponents believed that nothing less than the future of traditional families was at stake, while opponents believed that they were fighting for the fundamental right of gay people to be treated equally under the law.

I just don’t get it. In my opinion, Prop 8 isn’t about “restoring” or “protecting” marriage. If that were the case, there wouldn’t be such things as divorces or second, third and fourth marriages. Hate-mongers and the righteously confused continue to think that the “gay agenda” is to indoctrinate and recruit. There is only one subject on their minds when they mull over this misguided fear, and it certainly is not marriage. It’s not the idea of love, family or companionship either. It’s sex. Why do (most) people want to get married? To spend the rest of their life with someone they love. What makes 2 men or 2 women wanting this different from a man and a woman who do? In my eyes, what the passing of Prop 8 does preach is the tolerance of discrimination. Love cannot be legislated and discrimination should not be written into the Constitution of the State of California.

How can a country take such a huge leap forward in equality and yet step back from it at the same time? Thoughts?

Raul posted an entry on this topic as well. Please read it here.

UPDATE: Read Melissa Etheridge’s thoughts here on The Daily Beast.